RAIL users in the Malvern and Ledbury area are being urged to have their say on the future of train services in the West Midlands.

The West Midlands franchise, currently operated by London Midland, comes to its end in 2017, and local people are being asked to have their say before the formal search begins for the next rail operator.

Rail services across the Midlands are under review as local authorities develop a local rail strategy to improve services for commuters.

MP Harriett Baldwin said: “I would encourage people who regularly use rail services from Malvern to Birmingham and Hereford to make sure they have their say.

“The new franchise holder must deliver more frequent and more reliable services and offer value for money for the thousands of people who use these routes for work, study or pleasure.

“A new West Midlands franchise operator must commit to the best possible service levels for county commuters, including getting extra carriages at busy times."

Local people can have their say by filling in a survey which can be found at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/west-midlands-franchise.

London Midland is one of two train companies which uses the line through Malvern. The other is Great Western, which runs services to London Paddington and to the south-west.